WES BAYNES said he wanted to “prove a point” with his stunning free-kick equaliser against a Manchester City XI on Saturday.

The midfielder made an instant and crucial impact in Wrexham’s 2-1 victory over City’s youngsters at the Racecourse after manager Dean Saunders made what proved to be an inspired substitution.

With the Dragons trailing 1-0, Baynes replaced striker Matty Wolfenden at half-time. Within a minute of the restart, the 20-year-old was fouled and sent the resultant free-kick soaring into City keeper Kaspar Schmeichel’s goal.

Baynes – who angered Saunders by handing in a shock transfer request in February – had already seen Silvio Spann go close with a first-half free-kick which skimmed Schmeichel’s crossbar.

He said: “Silvio had gone close with one so I had to prove a point when I got the chance.

“It was nice to get the goal. I’ve just got to keep showing the gaffer what I can do.”

City’s reserve-team boss Glyn Hodges praised the strike which brought Wrexham back into the game before Mansour Assoumani’s header secured victory for the hosts from a corner by Silvio Spann.

“The free-kick that got them (Wrexham) back into it was terrific, it was a great free-kick,” said former Wales midfielder Hodges.

Asked how he rated Wrexham’s chances of promotion back into the Football League this season, he said: “I think they’ll go close next season – I think they’ll be there or thereabouts.

“The fitness levels are there, and when you can score from set-pieces like that you’re always a threat and you’ve always got chances to win games.”